POLICE were last night quizzing two North Africans arrested during a terror raid on Holyhead Port.

The Algerian man and woman were arrested under the Terrorism Act in a pre-planned swoop at the port last Friday morning, but details were made public only yesterday.

Police last night said they were "keeping an open mind" as to whether the two were linked to foiled plots to blow up transatlantic planes.

Officers were given until Tuesday to quiz the pair after a high-security court hearing in Holyhead yesterday morning.

The 47-year-old man was arrested after he arrived in Holyhead on Irish Ferries' Jonathan Swift boat at around 9.30am on Friday. Police said a 44-year-old woman, also originally from Algeria, was arrested while waiting for the man at the port, in what police said was an intelligence-led operation.

They would not specify whether the couple were married, or if there were any children involved. Nor would police say if the man and woman were now British nationals.

However, they are understood to live in England and to have no connection with North Wales other than using the Holyhead ferry.

Police yesterday said "several items" were seized in the swoop, but would not confirm what those items were.

Police would reveal only minimal details at a press conference yesterday, but said the pair were being quizzed in separate locations in North Wales.

Deputy chief constable Clive Wolfendale said: "We are keen to emphasise no threat was posed to the passengers and staff at Holyhead as a result of these arrests.

"Our understanding is that one of them was travelling from the Republic of Ireland and that the other arrived from elsewhere.

"At the moment, our perception is that there is no link between these arrests and the threat to blow up airlines.

"But of course, we are keeping an open mind."

Officers are liaising with a number of other forces across the countrybut Mr Wolfendale declined to name them.

Mr Wolfendale hit back at criticism over the information being released almost a week after the incident.

He said: "In our assessment, there was no immediate risk to the public. There was no need to take safety precautions. It has also enabled investigators to make rapid progress outside the glare of publicity.

"And thirdly, and most importantly, the risk of intrusion to both them and their families and associates has been minimised."

Officers also refused to say where the man and woman lived, where they were being held, or if they were British citizens.

And they refused to confirm if DVDs or CDs were seized. Police also declined to say if any properties were being raided in connection with the arrests.

The Bank of England last night said the assets of any Algerians seized in Holy-head were not frozen.

Several armed officers surrounded Holyhead police station and magistrates court yesterday. Following the hearing, a high-speed convoy was seen travelling towards St Asaph.

Afternoon shoppers in the centre of Holyhead described how they saw a convoy of four police vehicles speed away from the magistrates court and police station complex shortly after 2.30pm.

A major security operation was mounted round the court building, which was closed to the public during the hearing.

One onlooker said: "I saw armed police at the back of the building and four police vehicles drive off with sirens switched on.

"I couldn't see anybody in one vehicle because its windows were darkened."

Local people said there appeared to have been increased security around the port in recent days.